Manufacturers Association Opposes Plastic Ban in Nigeria

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has expressed strong opposition to the proposed ban on single-use plastics below 80 microns, warning that such a policy could render existing investments obsolete, increase product costs, and weaken competitiveness. Mr.

Segun Ajayi Kadir, the Director General of the association, stated that implementing the 80-micron threshold would require substantial changes in manufacturing processes and machinery, leading to significant capital loss for manufacturers. He emphasized that the proposed regulation, aimed at controlling plastic waste by 2026, could exacerbate the economic challenges faced by consumers already grappling with inflation and declining purchasing power.

The association cautioned that higher product costs would ultimately be passed on to consumers, affecting small businesses and market traders. Ajayi Kadir also criticized the lack of sufficient empirical justification for the ban and called for a careful reconsideration of the policy, noting that previous bans in other countries had mixed results.

He urged the government to fully implement existing measures before introducing new prohibitions.